Stars:
Stephen Graham,
Frank Harper,
Joseph Gilgun,
Keiran Hardcastle,
Jo Hartley,
Vicky McLure,
Jack O'Connell,
George Newton,
Andrew Shim,
Andrew Ellis,
Chanel Cresswell,
Sophie Ellerby,
Danielle Watson,
Rosemund Hanson
Director:
Shane Meadows
Summary: Twelve-year-old Shaun is a tough kid who is street-smart beyond his years despite being short for his age. He falls in with a group of older boys, led by Woody, who hang out at a local cafe, like to commit minor acts of anarchy, and adopt Shaun as one of their own. But when skinhead Combo gets out of jail, he returns to the gang, eager to take over the reins and lead them on a nationalistic battle to get rid of the immigrants who are stealing their jobs and is prepared to defend England to the death.
Set during the summer of 1983, THIS IS ENGLAND is the poignant story of Shaun (Thomas Turgoos) an unpopular kid who discovers a sense of belonging among a group of peaceful skinheads. Having lost his father during the Falklands Conflict, Shaun sees something of a father figure in Woody (Joseph Gilgun), the gang's leader. However, the warmth and affection is short-lived, as Combo (Stephen Graham) – a former member of the group, and radical right-wing racist is released from prison and divides the friends with his deeply disturbed outlook. Whereas Woody had strived to bring everyone together through their love of music, Combo seeks to mobilise a force, with his sights set on spreading chaos and hatred. At only 12 years of age, and of volatile frame of mind, Shaun is susceptible to Combo's charismatic, yet gravely dangerous philosophising. As adulthood beckons and with Combo's rage manifesting into stark violence, Shaun will have to decide which side of the line he's going to stand. The sixth feature from writer/Director Shane Meadows (A ROOM FOR ROMEO BRASS, DEAD MAN’S SHOES), THIS IS ENGLAND is a bitter-sweet rites of passage tale that is destined to be remembered for years to come.